Staff / Samantha M. Shal.From left, Andrew Bing, 11, son of Sam and Katie Bing of Buckhead, and Jack Myers, 11, son of Molly Myers of Buckhead, skate at the Astor Holiday Ice Skating Rink at the St. Regis Atlanta.

“Opening day was extremely popular this year and coincided with the unveiling of our adorned Lobby Gingerbread House,” said Senih Geray, the hotel’s general manager. “This is our fifth year for the Astor Holiday Ice Rink. It has become a beloved tradition for many local families, and we look forward to welcoming our guests this holiday season.”

The St. Regis transformed its 40,000-square-foot Pool Piazza to feature the rink. Geray said only 30 guests are allowed on the rink at a time to maintain an atmosphere of exclusivity. Guests can also enjoy hot cocoa and s’mores.

The cost is $30 per hour for adults or $18 for children. The rink will be open through Jan 5.

Through Feb. 14, Atlantic Station offers a 10,000-square-foot rink, which is new to the mixed-use center this year.

“Atlantic Station is known for creating one-of-a-kind experiences that are unparalleled in Atlanta,” said Daniel Easton, the center’s marketing director. “With a well-established lineup of holiday events, Skate Atlantic Station was a natural fit. We believe it will become a holiday tradition for friends and families, the way the annual Lighting of Atlantic Station has.”

The cost to skate is $13 or $10 for kids under 5, college students, seniors and military personnel.

Visitors to Piedmont Park in Midtown can skate at the Southwest Rink at Park Tavern, which is in its fourth season and will be open through Feb. 17.

Tickets are $15 for a day pass Sunday through Thursday and $20 on Fridays and Saturdays. Professional ice skating lessons are also available.

In downtown Atlanta, the Centennial Olympic Park Ice Rink is celebrating its 15th year in operation, said spokeswoman Morgan Smith-Williams.

“It’s an actual real ice skating rink, meaning no Plexiglas or any sort of artificial ice,” she said. “It takes us about a week to make the ice. They literally pour [water] about 1/16th of an inch at a time into the rink until it gets about three to three-and-a-half inches thick.”

New features of the rink this year are a heated changing area and an occasional holiday market, which will be open Dec. 21, Smith-Williams said.

*We welcome your comments on the stories and issues of the day and seek to provide a forum for the community to voice opinions. All comments are subject to moderator approval before being made visible on the website but are not edited. The use of profanity, obscene and vulgar language, hate speech, and racial slurs is strictly prohibited. Advertisements, promotions, spam, and links to outside websites will also be rejected. Please read our terms of service for full guides